Constructed in 1858 by D.W. Houston, the Garnett House commenced operations as a hotel in the fall of the same year, overseen by Mr. Hiram Tefft. Nestled at the picturesque junction of Fourth Avenue and Walnut in Garnett, Kansas, a town renowned for its charm and amicable locals, this venerable edifice holds a cherished position within the community. As the town's inaugural hotel, it underwent numerous expansions in subsequent years, cementing its status as an iconic landmark. An article from the 1800s spoke of how Mrs. Houston refused to stay in the original structure due to its swaying in the breeze, marking a departure from the prevalent log cabin designs of the era and establishing the 1858 Garnett House as a trailblazing architectural marvel in the region. Evolving through various ownerships and name changes, including The Garnett House, The Commercial House, and The Lighthouse Hotel, the latter earning its name from a lantern atop the top floor; visible from miles around. Noteworthy for its survival as an antebellum relic, the Garnett House has now borne witness to nearly 170 years of history, notably serving as a focal point of the underground railroad in the area. Amidst the turbulent era of "Bleeding Kansas," it reportedly harbored escaped slaves in its attic under the covert protection of the renowned Abolitionist John Brown, an event believed to have unfolded circa 1859, just prior to the American Civil War. During the vibrant 1870s, Garnett blossomed into a lively frontier town, reminiscent of scenes from the Old West, with saloons, brothels, and gunfights in the streets. Amidst this dynamic epoch, the Garnett House welcomed illustrious guests, including legendary lawmen Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and Wild Bill Hickock. Notable figures such as Buffalo Bill Cody, accompanied by Hickock, and the renowned female cowboy shooter Belle Starr graced the hotel. The notorious outlaw Jesse James is also believed to have sought refuge here under one of his many aliases. Beyond its hospitality role, the Garnett House served diverse functions over the years, doubling as a jail for criminals awaiting trial, a schoolhouse, tenements, and even a photography studio. Possibly eluding the local newspaper and media, there have been multiple stories that tell of the time when the building was used as a brothel. On September 11th, 1885, the Orphan Train made its inaugural stop in Garnett, KS, with homeless children temporarily housed within the 1858 Garnett House. The overwhelming crowd necessitated a swift relocation of the event to a nearby church. In the early 1950s, the building underwent yet another transformation, operating as a Doctor's Office under the management of a husband and wife doctor duo. Their commitment to the community endured, with patients receiving treatment within the historic walls up until the 21st Century. A testament to resilience and adaptability, the 1858 Garnett House Hotel remains an integral part of Garnett's ever-evolving narrative. https://www.1858house.com/history.html Join us as we talk about the haunted history of this location and the amazing piece of evidence that J.D. caught during one of his most recent outings to the location.
